15 Incredible Murals You Have to Visit in Budapest

As with many capital cities, the number of huge murals covering the grim grey of brick and concrete in Budapest has increased over the years, with a number of artists and groups devoted to bringing a bit of colour to the cityscape. There are quite a number in the Hungarian capital now: enough to create your own art-fuelled tour of the city. These are the murals you have to see before you leave Budapest.

The Bird House

Situated on one side of an open car park, this mural has plenty of opportunities to be seen. It’s a popular one too, as the colour of the painting vibrantly contrasts with the grey of downtown Pest’s office quarter.

Király Utca

If you’re visiting Budapest for its party life, then the famous Király Street will certainly be a big part of your trip. This mural, which celebrates ‘the most Pest-ian street’, will be a familiar sight by the end.

Greengrocer

This inventive mural relives the glory days of small, family-run stores. It is designed to blend seamlessly into the street front, helping to bring a piece of the past back into Budapest locals’ lives.

Sissy

Bel0ved by Hungarians, the historical figure of Empress Elizabeth of Bavaria – better known as Sissy – spent a great deal of time at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő near to Budapest. Capturing her regal spirit, beauty, and warmth, this mural is located opposite the Rubik’s Cube painting.

Hungary and Poland

There’s a close bond between Hungary and Poland, one that goes back many years. Indeed, a poem that celebrates this relationship is known by heart by many Hungarians and Poles. This mural depicts this bond, portraying the two countries as individual tree trunks that have roots twisted together.

6:3

It’s known as the match of the century in Hungary: when Hungary beat a strong England side 6:3 in a 1953 football game. It is actually Hungary’s largest mural, which might tell you something about how important this sporting achievement is considered.

A Hitchhiker’s Mural

Created as part of the most recent Színes Város Fesztival – or Colourful City Festival – this mural is a colourful reimagining of TheHitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s alcoholic beverage, the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.

Mural created by Fat Heat, Mr.Zero and ObieOne | Courtesy of Színes Város

Cloudy Playground

It’s tough bringing up kids in the city with limited access to nature. This mural makes the playground it covers just that little bit more colourful, and blends in to give a sense of open, natural space.

Digital Art

This impressive creation is located on Kazinczy Street, perhaps portraying the possibilities that are available to us in this age of technology. The high level of detail is incredibly impressive, making this mural a real stand-out.

A post shared by małgorzata (@szafrano) on Mar 29, 2016 at 12:47pm PDT

White Stag

You’ll need to look a little closer to find the full detail of this one: a stag blending in among all the colours. This is actually a reference to the Hungarian myth of the white stag, and was created as part of the Colourful City Festival.

Man of the Year

This is a recreation of the 1956 Time Magazine cover article which named the Hungarian freedom fighter – representing all of the civilian fighters of the 1956 revolution – as the Man of the Year. It was painted in 2017, 60 years after the issue was published.